Chelsea

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Scott: Johan Manzambi. He's like a new Ramires. We miss that energy and skill and composure in midfield. Then we can get rid of Enzo Fernandez too.

John: Maxi Araujo. We need a left wing-back and he looks in fine form at this World Cup, practically carrying Uruguay.

Kevin: Jonathan David as he's a proven goal scorer, Mike Maignan because we desperately need a world class goalkeeper and Bradley Barcola because he is quick and we need speed.

Thomas: Chelsea should sign Marcus Rashford - he has a release clause and is better than Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.

Tell us who you have scouted

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Chelsea defender Malo Gusto is exploring options to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with the club placing a £75m price tag on the full-back.

The 23-year-old right-back's future has come under renewed doubt after Chelsea agreed a deal in principle to sign Atalanta's Marco Palestra, who plays in the same position, for a fee in excess of £43m.

Gusto was aware his future was uncertain before that move, and sources have told BBC Sport that his representatives have held exploratory talks with multiple clubs, including Manchester City.

City are keen on signing a right-back to compete with Matheus Nunes next season, but sources have told BBC Sport that, while there is interest in Gusto, he is not a leading candidate at this stage of the transfer window.

Any move to Etihad Stadium would mean Gusto reuniting with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, whom he played under for 18 months before the Italian's departure from Stamford Bridge in January.

• Are you happy to let Gusto go for that price? Who could replace him? Get in touch and tell us here

Chelsea need to make significant player sales this summer after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season and missing out on European qualification.

Spain full-back Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid this summer in a deal worth £52m.

The La Liga club are also interested in midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who they have pushed to the top of their shortlist following Jose Mourinho's appointment at the Bernabeu.

However, Chelsea value the Argentina international at £120m.

Chelsea intend to strengthen the squad and want at least one centre-back to arrive alongside Palestra.

That has placed a number of futures in doubt, including those of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana.

Chalobah is attracting interest from Serie A side Como, who qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-place finish under manager Cesc Fabregas.

It is understood Chalobah is open to the move, but the potential cost of the deal is deterring the Italians from making a formal offer.

Read the full piece here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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Chelsea are set to make Atalanta defender Marco Palestra their first signing for new boss Xabi Alonso, for a fee in excess of £43m.

Palestra had been expected to join Italian champions Inter Milan following a successful loan spell at Cagliari last season, where he was named Serie A's best defender.

However, after 24 hours of talks, the Premier League club have emerged as the 21-year-old's preferred destination, as sources in Italy claim Inter could not match Chelsea's offer on personal terms.

Palestra, who made his international debut for Italy this year, is viewed at Stamford Bridge as an exciting option capable of playing on either flank, both as a wing-back and more conventional full-back.

It is also an early sign of new manager Alonso's influence.

Having been appointed as manager rather than head coach, he is understood to have approved the move - the first major signing made by the club since the former Spain midfielder was named Liam Rosenior's replacement in May.

Alonso is set to formally join Chelsea on 1 July, but he has been in regular contact with the club's hierarchy regarding incoming and outgoing transfers.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

It's the ultimate shop window: a World Cup with 48 teams - all packed with players eager to show what they can do on the biggest stage.

With the transfer window now open, BBC Sport journalists have been taking a look at some of the key names being discussed.

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Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco announced his departure last month amid reported Chelsea interest.

Sources close to the Argentina international, 21, believe he is heading to Stamford Bridge, although Chelsea have yet to confirm any deal.

Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, has also been linked to Chelsea, but it's unclear whether they will want to sign a further midfielder after the expected Barco deal.

Real Madrid will open talks with Chelsea over a transfer for their Argentina international Enzo Fernandez, 25, having made him their top midfield target this summer. (AS), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Some of you have been asking if Chelsea may move for a central defender on our Ask Me Anything form.

Chelsea have multiple names on their centre-back shortlist, notably Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix and Como's Jacobo Ramon.

It's possible they sign more than one option in the position but they need to make some sales after missing out on Europe and with a lot of players at their disposal.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Ghana and Chelsea legend Michael Essien joins The Wayne Rooney Show as the pair the pair discuss their favourite battles on the pitch, England's chances in the World Cup and the resurgence of Kobbie Mainoo.

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Chelsea's 26-year-old defender Trevoh Chalobah, who was a late call-up to England's World Cup squad, is wanted by Como boss Cesc Fabregas. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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We asked for your views on who Chelsea should look to sign at centre-back this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: I would look to bring in Harry Maguire because of his experience and he definitely will give you his all. Probably about £20m but what a price on experience for a couple of years.

James: Lewis Dunk. Proven, experienced, English centre-half and leader, somewhat Terry-esque. Would help corral the young bucks.

Stevie: Would have liked to go for either of the two Tottenham have signed, probably the best option now would be Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. We need two or three players with experience and to be a little bit older just for the moments when we struggle. We concede and then look like conceding again.

Bob: Wesley Fofana needs to be sold - he's a liability. Lacroix and Murillo aren't good enough for Chelsea. We should buy Ousmane Diomande from Sporting to partner Levi Colwill.

Robert: Micky van de Ven.

Osman: It wouldn't be bad at all if Chelsea do get Lacroix from Crystal Palace. He's a William Saliba of Arsenal type.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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There is no indication Chelsea are actively looking to sell Wesley Fofana.

The France international, who was not selected for his country's World Cup squad, is effectively under scrutiny as the Blues look to reduce the size of their squad before next season under Xabi Alonso.

The picture at centre-back is already crowded, and Chelsea are looking to add at least one high-quality option in that area and perhaps another depending on sales.

The idea is to deliver a Premier League-ready option to partner the highly regarded Levi Colwill - a role once reserved for Fofana given his £70m price tag, but which is now no longer guaranteed.

The situation may be recoverable, but it remains uncertain for Fofana, who must impress Alonso upon arrival when pre-season begins at the end of the month.

Chelsea acknowledge they need to add physicality, quality and leadership in their incoming signings, particularly at centre-back.

Those within the club have been tight-lipped on specific targets, but checks were made on Ibrahima Konate before he joined Real Madrid from Liverpool, while Nottingham Forest's Murillo is admired.

Jan Paul van Hecke was linked before his move to Tottenham from Brighton, while Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix is also reportedly on the radar.

Who would you bring in to bolster Chelsea's central-defensive options? Are you keen on Murillo or Lacroix, or is there another player you'd prefer? Or does Fofana remain the best solution?

Get in touch with your views here

Read Nizaar's full piece on Fofana and signings here

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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Reece James worked with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea and is playing at his first World Cup as England's first-choice right-back.

James has sustained a number of injuries in his career and has faced questions about his ability to play regularly with limited recovery time.

He looked to have got over those problems, but picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the 2025-26 campaign which kept him out for four weeks and meant he missed England's games against Japan and Uruguay.

But James returned for Chelsea in time to be selected in Tuchel's World Cup squad and ended the season with 39 appearances for his club.

"People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it's so boring now," James told BC Radio 5 Live.

"I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I'm on the pitch. I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.

"I've been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don't listen to too much noise.

"I just focus on myself and my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I'm playing in."

Striker Nicolas Jackson will not push for a move away from Chelsea as he aims to impress new manager Xabi Alonso in pre-season. (Football Insider), external

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We asked for your views on Chelsea's 2026-27 fixtures and how many points you expect from the first 10 games.

Here are some of your comments:

Jack: I can see Chelsea top of the league after their first 10 games. I'm predicting they will be between three and six points clear.

Tim: I hope Xabi Alonso does well. It's not an easy start, but it's not an easy league. I think Fulham then Brighton is a good test, and if the players are with the manager then a good start can happen.

Rob: It is better than two seasons ago, but still very hard. That's the Premier League for you!

Alex: I'm expecting 22 points minimum from the opening 10 games.

Ahmed: Fantastic. It's time to try new methods to ensure we improve from last season's mess and possibly win the league - especially with the current manager on ground. Winning the opening game is always encouraging.

Wayne: I think we can achieve a top-four finish this season and win the FA Cup.

Now you have seen the 2026-27 fixtures, what kind of start do you think Chelsea will have under new boss Xabi Alonso?

How many points do you expect after the first 10 games?

Get in touch with your views here

• Read more on the matches and rule changes for 2026-27

Chelsea will begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign under new boss Xabi Alonso with a trip to Fulham for a west London derby.

The match will take place on 24, August at 20:00 BST, with the Blues' first home fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion on the weekend of 29-30 August.

Alonso's side face Coventry City (A), Ipswich Town (A), Newcastle (H) and Crystal Palace (A) over the Christmas and New Year period.

And they end their league season against Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 30 May, when all games will kick off at the same time.

See Chelsea's Premier League fixtures in full here

Now you have seen the fixtures, what kind of start do you the Blues will have under Alonso? How many points do you expect after the first 10 games?

Send your thoughts here

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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most.

Here are some of your replies:

Colin: The best opening day fixture was in 1984 away at Highbury. We were back in the top division after too long away. I'll admit to crying that day as Colin Pates led us out and I remember being overjoyed when Kerry Dixon equalised.

Sal: Chelsea v Leeds United on the opening day of the 1972-73 season, with the first rebuilds of the stands meaning the new stand was closed. Chelsea won 4-0. My dad took me and my sister. I remember using the toilet that the lady selling tea used at half-time - I don't think there was a women's toilet there with the old stand gone. We stood and watched on the old track around the pitch as there were too many of us for the new capacity. I think some supporters were even locked out.

Roger: My worst opening-day memory was a 3-2 loss at home against Burnley in August 2017. Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off. We were Premier League champions at the time as well, which made this defeat even harder to swallow.

Ash: The best memory has to be Chelsea's opening day 4-0 thumping of Sunderland in 1999, when Gus Poyet scored that brilliant volley and Gianfranco Zola looked sharp as ever. After watching that performance, I thought Chelsea would win the league that season - but that wouldn't come until 2005. Still, that opening day in 1999 marked the start of something special for me - and I knew success was just around the corner.

Peter: Beating Derby 5-0 in 1984 when they were favourites to go up to the First Division and we were favourites to gown to the Third Division!

Andy: Chelsea v Sunderland. We had just bought Chris Sutton for £10m in the summer transfer market. He broke from the halfway line, the East Stand was on its feet roaring him on, and he slipped before getting a shot off. There was the loudest sigh as everyone sat down.

Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Blues' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.

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"In life and in football, sometimes you need to start new chapters you don't expect," Marc Cucurella admitted when asked about his shock £51.8m move to Real Madrid just hours before Spain's opening World Cup game.

The 27-year-old defender made 50 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea in 2025-26, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

"If you had asked me a few months ago, I probably would have said I don't expect to leave Chelsea," Cucurella revealed in a news conference on Thursday. "I was very happy there and so was my family.

"It isn't easy leaving Chelsea. I arrived as a young kid, I dreamed of winning trophies and Chelsea gave me that, but I think the step to go to Real Madrid now is bigger.

"I have the chance to come back to my country, to one of the best clubs in the world, and I think it is a step I need to make.

"It is a decision that wasn't easy, but it is right for me and my family."

Cucurella joins former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate as one of three major signings already made by Real Madrid since Jose Mourinho's return last week.

"Madrid came in strongly, which was very important to me," Cucurella added. "My situation wasn't easy so having the chance to finalise my transfer before the World Cup started was crucial.

"When a team like Madrid comes calling, it is very hard to say no. I had no doubts though as it is a huge step in my career."

Real Madrid are looking to continue their summer rebuild by signing a midfielder and a centre-back, with Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, being one of the options highly rated by the club. (ESPN), external

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